Dawn reeler


I was at Priest Hill by 06.00hrs, in a fine drizzle. My hopes were up, and within the hour a Grasshopper Warbler had been located, reeling away from dense Blackthorn and Hawthorn scrub. It sang infrequently between 06.50 - 07.20hrs - I didn't even glimpse it. There had also been an obvious arrival of Common Redstarts (below), all in the scrub and hedgerow between Glyn Playing Field and Ranger's Field. A minimum of four were present, of which one was a male. They were quite flighty, but called a lot which aided observation. To complete the trio of highlights, a Northern Wheatear was present throughout the morning on Glyn Playing Field (above).


Other counts: Canada Goose (5), Sparrowhawk (1), Swallow (7), Meadow Pipit (3), Whitethroat (5), Blackcap (5), Chiffchaff (7), Willow Warbler (2).

Comments

Gibster said…
On a local scale, that is staggering. I may have to move back down there, just a few Sand Martins and dross eagles up here!
17 April 2017 at 23:00
Gibster said…
You've actually seen more Redstarts today than I ever managed on Epsom Common. Pfffft.
17 April 2017 at 23:01
Steve Gale said…
Seth, over the past few years there seems to be an upsurge in Common Redstarts on passage in northern Surrey. The high ground around Banstead in particular. I expect to see them now.
18 April 2017 at 06:42
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